Laois school prepared for Dáil protest to stop Nigerian family's deportation

The principal of St Mary's CBS in Laois says she and her students are prepared to protest at the Dáil to stop the deportation of a family to Africa who claim their abusive father has made death threats to them.

Principal Maura Murphy has enlisted Fine Gael Cllr Willie Aird to ask Minister for Justice Helen McEntee to urgently prevent the deportation of the Adebowale family.

Lucy Adebowale has five sons aged from 17 to 6. Her three oldest boys, Star, Greatness and Value are students at CBS, and two youngest, Prosperity and Gold are pupils in St Fintan's NS in Mountrath.

“I am prepared to bring the school to the Dáil. The whole school is behind us. They are meeting officials this Tuesday. If they lose their appeal again they are literally on a plane,” Ms Murphy told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

She has been an advocate for the family to the Department since one of the boys came to her three weeks ago with their shocking news.

“He told me what was upsetting him, he was terrified.”

The teachers held a anonymous school fundraiser before the break which covered the family's legal bills and gave the family what could be their last Christmas in Ireland. The whole school gave generously to help. 

The Adebowale family arrived in Ireland from Brazil in December 2021, entering Direct Provision and applying for International Protection Status to the Minister of Justice. The four older boys were born in Nigeria, the youngest in Brazil so they could be deported to either country.

Last June their request was refused but the family appealed the Deportation Order. Last December 9 that appeal was rejected.
As they will not have not left Ireland voluntarily by Tuesday January 7, they must go and meet the Garda National Immigration Bureau that day for a final discussion.

Their father had returned to Nigeria last July without their knowledge after the asylum request was refused.

The CBS principal says the children have disclosed how they experienced very bad abuse by their father.

“They were like prisoners in their home,” she said.

They claim his family are making death threats to the mother's parents.

“They had to move home several times to escape, but the threats continue," it is claimed. 

Documentation of these threats to Mrs Adebowale in Ireland and to her parents in Nigeria have been forwarded to the Minister for Justice, as part of a new appeal.

Ms Murphy said the boys had settled well into their schools in Laois.

“Star will hopefully sit his Leaving Certificate in June 2025, and Greatness in June 2026. Value will sit his Junior Certificate in June 2026 also.

“The two younger boys are getting on very well. On receiving the December letter, the family were deeply upset and completely terrified of their future.

“The family cannot go back to Brazil because of the attack and life threats from the dangerous gang their father was involved in which caused them to leave the country in December 2021," she alleged. 

“Without giving away the family’s right to privacy, they have only begun to live, free from fear, since their father left the family home. This letter left them completely inconsolable.

“I have witnessed the fear and gravity of this situation. This is their last chance to have the Minister revoke her decision. To this family it is a matter of life and death.

“The new appeal is based on the real and present threat to their lives,” the CBS principal said.

She said that St Mary's CBS is launching a campaign to help the Adebowale brothers.

“St Mary’s CBS is a multicultural school with 54 nationalities. The CBS is a recognised School of Sanctuary, meaning that they demonstrate a commitment to become ever more inclusive places, taking an active and visible stance against prejudice and racism. St Mary’s CBS will not be found wanting in supporting the Adebowale family’s Appeal," the principal says.